Dulaney Volleyball Improves to 6 - 1 After Home Win

For some coaches, a straight three-set win just isn't enough. Dulaney High School's girls volleyball team improved its record to 6-1 after a 25-15, 25-14, 25-7 sweep at home against Chesapeake High School.

Despite the win, Dulaney head coach Cary Lyon said the team shows room for improvement.

Star outside hitter Elsa Manning helped lead the team with two aces and seven kills. But Manning saw fewer minutes than usual because of the Lions' rapid substitutions.

Manning is a four-year starter, and one of the team's leaders. Lyon said the 5-foot-11-inch senior is a valuable player who shows promise on the court. But, he added, she needs to tighten her game.  

"We're still working on her because she's had some funks in her swing so she doesn't always hit it to her advantage," Lyon said.

Lyon's Lions have improved since last season's 10-6 record. The players are young, but, with extra practices and more game experiences, they improved quickly, Lyon said.

Seven years ago, Lyon transferred to Dulaney from Loch Raven High School and has never held a losing record. In fact, he has never had a losing season at any school where he has coached.

His approach has always been about basics.  

"We focus on fundamentals," Lyon said. "We think serving and passing are the two most important skills in volleyball. Many teams are working on hitting tandems and quicks and all this other stuff, but we're still working on the fundamentals."

He added: "We serve a lot and every other point is off a serve. We practice more than any other team in the state."

Chesapeake was outmatched in Tuesday's game, but Lyon was not happy his team acted like it by getting off to slow starts in the first two sets.

Lyon said the sets should have been decided by even wider margins.  

Dulaney returns to the court Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. against Hereford at home.